Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

And another, more recent one. This time the WMSA outing to Canon Hill Park, Birmingham, July 2013. Photograph by M Kingston, rather then myself- I'm sure I took one too but it is lost in the mists of time and this one I was tagged in on Facebook.

I think you will have someways to go to beat a WMSA hat tower, particularly when we do an event in force and numbers. As you can see, we have evolved past the mere hat tower and now go in for hamper towers too.

I think you will have someways to go to beat a WMSA hat tower, particularly when we do an event in force and numbers.

I recall that we required *three* separate stacks for our outing in June precisely because of the numbers involved, and even then, getting them to stack correctly was a bit of a challenge! I'm sure there's some pictures of them around somewhere.

I think you will have someways to go to beat a WMSA hat tower, particularly when we do an event in force and numbers.

I recall that we required *three* separate stacks for our outing in June precisely because of the numbers involved, and even then, getting them to stack correctly was a bit of a challenge! I'm sure there's some pictures of them around somewhere.

We did! (I remember too that it was three hatstacks and two hamperstacks?- or is that memory playing tricks?) I don't have any photos of that one sadly, otherwise I'd post them up. Maybe someone else can oblige?

We did! (I remember too that it was three hatstacks and two hamperstacks?- or is that memory playing tricks?) I don't have any photos of that one sadly, otherwise I'd post them up. Maybe someone else can oblige?

I confess I hadn't considered hamper stacks. We are of course somewhat less civilised here in the Colonies and often the only actual hamper is that brought by Mrs. Hudson (the younger) and myself, but we might have to see what can be done. Hampers often show up in the sorts of shops frequented by steampunks, so there's really no excuse what with spring approaching.

Multiple hatstacks, I agree, are sometimes required, although I think two is about the best we've managed. Certainly arranging the hats appropriately to avoid damage, as well as to facilitate the highest stack, is essential.

Mr Harrison, while I greatly admire your stacks (no euphemism intended), I confess to some discomfort with all the goggles facing in the same direction. A touch of asymmetry is often more effective, in my view.

I was admiring the creature perched, (possibly on the boater?) on the leftmost stack. An unimaginable owl? A tentacled cat? Unless the maker would be kind and generous enough to share a closer image it will remain something to muse upon and wonder about...

I was admiring the creature perched, (possibly on the boater?) on the leftmost stack. An unimaginable owl? A tentacled cat? Unless the maker would be kind and generous enough to share a closer image it will remain something to muse upon and wonder about...

Ah, that would be the fiendish and elusive Octokitten, made by a friend and fellow member of the WMSA - you can find out more (and possibly enquire about procuring said creature) here. They often creep into pictures when one is not looking!

Far from the greatest photo in the world, but of some historic significance - my first experience of a hatstack, outside a bar in Ipswich, Queensland, during Steamfest in 2013. That's my pith helmet, second from the bottom: